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Maharashtra Assembly Election 2019: Fadnavis affidavit found to be in order
The returning officer, Shekhar Ghadge dismissed the allegations and said a valid PWD NOC certificate was attached and notary Sontakey’s tenure had been extended by five years. He also declared all papers filed by Fadnavis to be in order.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ affidavit was found to be in order and all objections claiming the BJP leader’s nomination was ineligible were dismissed by the returning office of Nagpur (South-West ) Assembly constituency on Saturday.
Aam Aadmi Party candidate, Amol Hadke had alleged Fadnavis didn’t attach No Dues Certificate (NOC) from the Public Works Department (PWD) on any possible outstanding rent on government accommodation used between 2009 to 2019.
On the other hand, the Congress nominee, Ashish Deshmukh had alleged the tenure of notary, VP Sontakey, who certified chief minister’s documents, expired on December 28, 2018 invalidating Fadnavis’ papers.
However, the returning officer, Shekhar Ghadge dismissed the allegations and said a valid PWD NOC certificate was attached and notary Sontakey’s tenure had been extended by five years. He also declared all papers filed by Fadnavis to be in order.
Fadnavis was also accused of filing a false affidavit by Nagpur-based lawyer, Satish Ukey, who had challenged his 2014 election affidavit as well. Ukey said Fadnavis’ nomination documents were neither put on the notice board by Friday night nor uploaded on the website of the election commission in time.
Dismissing all these allegations, Ghadge said all procedures were maintained and Fadnavis’ affidavit was valid.
Meanwhile, talking to media persons on Saturday evening, Deshmukh, Pawar and Ukey demanded that Fadnavis be dismissed for filling “a false affidavit” if he doesn’t quit on his own. They said they had written to the President of India and the Maharashtra Governor in this regard.
